Advocacy groups to honor Syracuse-area crime victims Wednesday

Syracuse, NY – A ceremony to honor those who survived a violent crime and victims who died as a result of violence will be held 5 p.m. Wednesday at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception.

The 18th annual Crime Victims Ceremony is being held as part of National Crime Victim’s Rights Week. Author and motivational speaker Christopher Novak will speak; his theme will be “Conquering Adversity,” organizers said.

The Marcellus resident’s wife and unborn son were killed in 1998 when their car was hit by a vehicle that ran a stop sign. The driver of that car later pleaded guilty to criminally negligent homicide, admitting he had gotten high on drugs the night before the accident.

The Onondaga County District Attorney’s Victim Assistance Center, the DA’s Advisory Council, Hope for Bereaved, McMahon/Ryan Child Advocacy Site, Mothers Against Gun Violence, the U.S. Attorney’s Office and Vera House will conduct the ceremony.